#$%^&*AU2009200425B220130919.pdf#####5 HYBRID CONTACT QUALITY MONITORING RETURN ELECTRODE ABSTRACT An electrosurgical return electrode (6) is disclosed. The return electrode (6) includes an 0 intermediary layer (40) formed from a dielectric material, the intermediary layer having a top surface (34) and a patient-contacting surface (36). The return electrode (6) also includes a capacitive return electrode (42) formed from a conductive material disposed on the top surface (34) of the intermediary layer (40) and a resistive monitoring electrode formed from a conductive material disposed on the patient-contact surface (36) of the intermediary layer 5 (40).1/4 20-FLECTROSURGICAL 2 GENERATOR FIG. 13/4 , -6 8 42 34 ~x- 40 44 36 FIG. 3 8 1,6 134 42 FIG. 4 FG36 312 44 3 FIG. 5
